Social Welfare and Social Research — Ph.D.

The mission of the Social Welfare and Research Program is to extend the distinctive principles of whole-person care beyond the individual to include interventions with communities and social institutions. The program's emphasis on an integrative approach to an advanced curriculum in social science, social welfare, Christian ethics, and social research provides students with the theoretical and methodological knowledge and professional skills needed to conduct innovative and interdisciplinary research. Graduates of the program are prepared for advanced administrative and research roles in national and international health and human services, policy development and analysis, and as university faculty members.

Formulate research questions reflecting the global perspective of Loma Linda University that link the local with global. (ILO 4,5)

Demonstrate the role of social justice in transdisciplinary research and practice for transprofessional interventions addressing significant social problems. (ILO 5)

Prepare to join a faculty as a researcher, teacher and mentor (ILO 1,2)

Social welfare and research specialization

Students admitted to the program should have demonstrated evidence of interest in social values aligned with a commitment to social justice, and research interests compatible with the areas of expertise supported by the program's faculty. Information regarding faculty areas of expertise is available by contacting the program director. Years one and two are largely composed of course work and shaping of one's dissertation question.

While completing all required course work, each student will choose a dissertation committee chair and committee with whom he or she will work closely to develop and defend a dissertation proposal following University guidelines. Upon successful defense of the proposal students are admitted to candidacy and actively engage in dissertation research, culminating in the successful defense of their dissertations. Consistent with Faculty of Graduate Study policy, the department requires a two-publication dissertation. More information is available from the program director.

Combined degrees

Students interested in completing a combined degrees curriculum with social welfare and social research and bioethics should refer to the Combined Degrees Programs section of the CATALOG or contact the Department of Social Work and Social Ecology directly.

Master's degree from an accredited institution of higher education. Examples would include disciplines such as social work (M.S.W.), nursing (M.S.), business (M.B.A.), public health (M.P.H.), education (M.Ed.), and theology (M.Div.).

Evidence of adequate academic preparation in graduate education. This includes a minimum cumulative G.P.A. of 3.5 (on a 4.0 scale) for graduate/postgraduate work.

Strong intellectual abilities, including background in social sciences and statistics.

Evidence of research and social welfare interests reflecting the values of social justice. Professional experience and achievement that demonstrate the competence, motivation, organization, and leadership to complete doctoral education in a timely manner. It is preferred that applicants have at least two years post-masters degree experience in their professional area.

Personal interview.

Sample of writing in the form of a published article, academic or professional paper prepared for a research purpose, or an essay prepared for admission to the program.

Satisfactory performance on the Graduate Record Examination.

Curriculum vitae or other description of education and employment history.

Three letters of recommendation including one from an academic source and one from a work supervisor.

The application process for the Ph.D. degree in social welfare and social research utilizes a pooled application process by which the top candidates meeting the admissions criteria are selected. The number of new candidates admitted each year ranges from three to four students, depending on the total number of students previously completing the program and the program’s ability to support potential candidates in their areas of interest.

All course grades should meet the minimum B (3.0) standard, which by university policy indicates satisfactory performance. In some cases, conditional consideration of course grades below a B (3.0) may be given if the requirements for independent research and competency in consumer protection are not compromised. Academic variances that document the rationale for acceptance of grades below a B (3.0), must be submitted to the dean’s office for approval.

Noncourse requirements

Concept Paper

Prior to the beginning of SPOL 681, Dissertation Proposal I, students submit to the doctoral faculty a short concept paper, three to five pages, briefly describing their plan for dissertation research.

Candidacy

Students must successfully complete:

required course work

the applied research requirements

the defense of the dissertation proposal before advancing to candidacy

End of year two deliverables

End of year three deliverable

Defend dissertation proposal

Dissertation

The PhD degree candidacy is spent in full-time dissertation research, culminating in the successful defense of the completed dissertation. Dissertation research for Ph.D. degree candidates follows University guidelines. Details regarding these requirements can be obtained from the program director.

Normal time to complete the program

Four (4) years based on full-time enrollment; part time permitted

Courses

SPOL 588. Special Topics in Social Policy and Social Research. 1-5 Units.

Reviews current knowledge and/or research methodologies in specified areas of social policy and social research.

SPOL 599. Independent Study. 1-8 Units.

Limited to Ph.D. degree students who wish to pursue independent investigations in social policy and/or social research under the direction of a department faculty member.

SPOL 600. Colloquium. 1 Unit.

Provides students with an academic seminar to explore and discuss relevant topics in the field of social policy and social research. Prerequisite: Program prerequisite in interviewing and counseling.

SPOL 601. Integrative Seminar: Pro-seminar. 1 Unit.

Provides an overview to social work academe, research, policy and teaching. Focuses on LLU’s program and creates an environment to nurture student’s research interest. Prerequisite: Matriculated in PhD in Social Welfare and Social Research.

SPOL 602. Integrative Seminar: Global Perspective. 2 Units.

Focuses on research and practice using a global perspective that locates differences and similarities of behavioral and other health inequities locally and internationally. Prerequisite: SPOL 601.

Focuses on preparing students for careers in social work education. Topics might likely include developing a teaching philosophy, classroom teaching, student assessment, curriculum development, and accreditation. Prepares students for the job market through assisting with development of a CV, interviewing skills, and job searching. Prerequisite: SPOL 601, SPOL 602, SPOL 603.

SPOL 610. Diversity Theory and Global Perspectives. 3 Units.

Critical examination of contemporary theories of diversity as seen through the lens of a global perspective, including intersectionality. Opportunity to apply these theories using a cultural humility framework for engaging diverse populations in policy practice and research.

SPOL 613. Social Science Concepts I. 3 Units.

First of two courses reviewing key theories, writers, conceptual frameworks, and seminal ideas from classical social science theory that have laid the foundation for contemporary social welfare theory and social research.

SPOL 614. Social Science Concepts II. 3 Units.

Second of two courses reviewing key theories, writers, conceptual frameworks, and seminal ideas from the Post Modern era that have laid the foundation for contemporary social welfare theory and social research. Prerequisite: SPOL 613.

SPOL 615. Economic Theory and Social Policy. 4 Units.

Presents the basic ideas and concepts of macroeconomic theory and applies them to understanding current and recent developments in social policy. Students learn to evaluate macroeconomic conditions—such as unemployment, inflation, growth wages, and income distribution—and gain understanding of how such conditions impact the provision of health and human services.

SPOL 616. History and Philosophy of Social Welfare Policy. 3 Units.

Explores the history of social welfare from a multicultural perspective and relates these principles to current and evolving social needs.

SPOL 654. Research Methods I. 4 Units.

Advanced quantitative research methods. Emphasizes experimental and quasi-experimental designs, and examines specific methodologies used in conducting research in the area of social policy and social research. Topics include measurement issues, research design, sampling, and statistical interpretation. Addresses survey research, time-series designs, and more advanced techniques.

SPOL 655. Research Methods II. 4 Units.

Advanced course in qualitative and mixed research methods. Emphasizes selected qualitative and mixed research methodologies specific to social policy and clinical and health services research. Topics covered include theoretical bases for conducting qualitative research; research design; data gathering, including interviewing, observation, archival and historical research, and data analysis and writing. Introduces various methods for integrating qualitative and quantitative methodologies.

SPOL 656. Organizational Theory and Policy. 3 Units.

Explores the complexities of large organizations; how organizations are born, evolve, and survive. Examines bureaucratic systems, formal and informal structures, communication patterns, and philosophical approaches that influence effectiveness and efficiency of services delivery. Implications of these on the development and implementation of social policies explored.

SPOL 658. Advanced Policy Analysis and Research. 3 Units.

Presents conceptual and analytical requirements of policy analysis and research. Examines integration of behavioral, political, economic, and sociometric frameworks for understanding human conditions that support the development of formal policy arguments and policy research for sustained change.

SPOL 664. Applied Research for Social Policy. 2 Units.

Provides students with a series of formal exercises simulating primary applied social research strategies used in the development of social policy. Explores the contributions of social research to social policy through studies of public records and data bases; clinical contexts; social experimentation; program planning, development, and evaluation; and action research.

SPOL 665. Statistical Practicum Seminar. 2 Units.

Students collectively conceptualize and analyze a research question from a data set. Requires a scholarly product outcome.

SPOL 667. Research Methods Practicum Seminar. 2 Units.

Development of methodology section and submission of draft dissertation proposal. Prerequisite: SPOL 665.

SPOL 671. Applied/Structured Research I. 2-4 Units.

Provides students the opportunity to advance knowledge and skills in a specialized area of study. Part of a year-long sequence that culminates in an applied research product at the end of SPOL 673. Research mentor develops with the student a plan for the year, with objectives for each quarter. Research plan approved by the Program Committee. Evaluation based on accomplishment of quarterly objective(s).

SPOL 672. Applied/Structured Research II. 2-4 Units.

Provides students the opportunity to advance knowledge and skills in a specialized area of study. Part of a year-long sequence that culminates in an applied research product at the end of SPOL 673. Research mentor develops with the student a plan for the year, with objectives for each quarter. Research plan approved by the Program Committee. Evaluation based on accomplishment of quarterly objectives.

SPOL 673. Applied/Structured Research III. 2-4 Units.

Provides students the opportunity to advance knowledge and skills in a specialized area of study. Part of a year-long sequence that culminates in an applied research product at the end of SPOL 673. Research mentor develops with the student a plan for the year, with objectives for each quarter. Research plan approved by the Program Committee. Evaluation based on accomplishment of quarterly objectives.

SPOL 681. Dissertation Proposal I. 3 Units.

Development of the dissertation proposal. Research advisor develops with the student mutually agreed-upon objectives. Evaluation based on accomplishment of these objectives.

SPOL 682. Dissertation Proposal II. 3 Units.

Development of the dissertation proposal. Research advisor develops with the student mutually agreed-upon objectives. Evaluation based on accomplishment of these objectives. Prerequisite: SPOL 681.

SPOL 683. Dissertation Proposal III. 3 Units.

Development of the dissertation proposal. Research advisor develops with the student mutually agreed-upon objectives. Evaluation based on accomplishment of these objectives. In addition, student must successfully defend a dissertation proposal according to program and Faculty of Graduate Studies guidelines. Prerequisite: SPOL 681, SPOL 682.

SPOL 697. Research. 1-6 Units.

Credit for dissertation research. Total of 18 units required. May be repeated for credit.

SPOL 699. Dissertation. 4-12 Units.

Should be taken during the last quarter of registration prior to completion and defense.